Crank-case heater



1,629,382 F. H. HINKLEY 1 CRANK CASE HEATER May i7, 1927.

Filed June 23. 1926 Patented May 17, 1927 FRANK H. HINKLEY, 0F ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

CRANK- CASE HEATER.

Application filed June 23, 1926. Serial No. 118,105.

The object of theinvention is to provide a device of this character which may be easily installed, which is simple and practical in construction, and which will operate efiiciently in heating the oil without in any way obstructing the free circulation thereof The specific construction oi the invention and the advantages thereof will be more fully explained in the following detailed description, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating the same in its preferred form.

In the drawing: 7 I

Figure l is a side elevation of the invention, together with the parts of the motor vehicle to which it is connected.

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2. V

Figure 4c is a detai view of the heating element which is to be mounted-inside of the crank case.

The invention is lllustrated in connection with a crank case 5, and an exhaust pipe 6 leading from the exhaust manitold 7 of a motor vehicle. The heating element 8 is in I the form of a fiat oblong hollow casing,

adapted to be supported within the crank opened or closed by means of a laterally extending arm 15, the latter being actuated by any suitable means, as, for instance, a rod 16, extending to the dash 17 of the motorvehicle. Nuts 18 and gaskets 19 are mounted on the threaded portions 10 and 11 respectively, outside of the crank case 5.

After the ends of these conduits have been connected with the threaded openings 19, the

One of these openings is adapted nuts 18 are adjusted toward each other until the gaskets are tightly clamped against the walls oft-he crank case, so as to form leakprcoi connections therewith.

The casing 8 is thin enough, so that it will be entirely immersed in the crank case oil, and will not interfere in any manner with the circulation thereof. The casing 8 is also provided at its corners with feet 20, which positively maintain it sutliciently above the bottom of the crank case, so that the oil may circulate underneath the same, and there will be no obstruction to the drainageof the oil from the crank case when the bottom plug 21 is'removed. The interior of the casing 8 is free from obstruction, and

. allows the free passage of the heated gases from the exhaust pipe 6 whenever the valve it is opened. The walls of the casing 8 are comparatively thin, so that the heat will be quickly conducted therethrough and into contact with the oil.

It will be understood, of course, that the shape and dimensions of the casing 8 may be considerablymodified, and that the various connections and means for operating the valve may also be modified considerably .without any material departure from the salient features of the invention as claimed,

What is claimed 15: J

In a motor vehicle, the combination with the crank case and exhaust pipe, of a flat hollow casing normally covered by the oilin the crank case and having test to positively maintain it in spaced relation to the bot tom of the crank case, a conduit affording communication between the exhaust pipe and the interior of said hollow casingand passing through one side wall of the crank case, an outlet conduit extending through the opposite side wallof the crankv case and also communicating with the interior of said hollow casing each of said conduits" having an integral end portion which is threadedthrough the side wall of the crank case and the side of said hollow casing.

In testimony, that I claim the'foregoing.

as my own, I have-hereto aflixed my signa-, ture. I

FRANK H; HINKLEY; 

